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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. A suggestion Hugo makes is to end more than half the lines and more than two-thirds of the sentences on _____.

2. To what do academic professors attribute the sudden popularity of creative writing classes, according to Hugo?

3. Which famous poet does Hugo say escapes from personality during the writing of a poem?

4. What is the name of the only celebrity that comes to visit Hugo's squadron during the war?

5. Hugo guesses that ____ of his ex-students are now publishing.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hugo say not to write with a pen?

2. Why does Hugo believe that Roethke seeks out wealthy companionship during his last years?

3. What is the conclusion Hugo makes regarding the Ph.D. system in literature?

4. Why does Hugo recommend that the poet carry with him at all times and why?

5. How does Auden express his disdain for competitiveness among writers?

6. Why does Hugo say that Cerignola has a bad reputation in Italy?

7. What is the curse of creative writing courses as seen by Hugo at universities?

8. Why is blank white paper not recommended for writing poetry by Hugo?

9. Why is acclaim considered by Hugo to be dangerous to the poet?

10. What does Hugo say a poet should do when a poem is finished?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Hugo describe grading in creative writing? How do most creative writing teachers feel about grading, according to Hugo?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Hugo's view of a poet's fear of amoral and shallow writing. When does Hugo say that this kind of writing would occur? What does he say of the moral sense of all the poets he knows personally?

Essay Topic 3

What are Hugo's views on whether or not good writing can actually be taught? What is the role of a good teacher?

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